rhetoric vocab

parallelism

the use of verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc

juxtaposition

two opposing things (ideas, images, colors, etc.) placed close together with contrasting effect

allusion

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

metaphor

comparing one idea, object, or image directly the another dissimilar one without using like or as

synedoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or a whole is made to represent the sum of its parts

hyperbole

an exaggeration used for emphasis

symbolism

using concrete objects, images, or characters to represent a larger, more universal idea

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

simile

comparing one idea, object, or image the another dissimilar one by using like or as

polysyndeton

a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect

antithesis

a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other

personification

the attribution of a personal nature of human characteristics to something nonhuman

epistrophe

the repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences

situational irony

a state of affairs, an event, or an explanation that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects

paradox

a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition that, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well founded or true

anaphora

the repetition of a word at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences

anadiplosis

a form of repetition in which the last word of one clause or sentence is repeated as the first word of the following clause or sentence

rhetorical question

a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer

crescendo

which words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance

asyndeton

the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence

extended metaphor

also known as a conceit or sustained metaphor, is an author’s exploitation of a single metaphor or analogy at length through multiple sentences or lines in a story or poem

amplification

embellishing a word or phrase by adding more information to it in order to increase its worth and understandibility

anecdote

a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident

epimone

the repetition of a phrase, guestion, or plea for emphasis - to dwell on an important point

aphorism

a short, often commonly known saying that expresses a truth in a memorable way